Building rapport is the foundation of effective communication. When you connect with others on a personal level, you create trust, encourage openness, and make every interaction more productive. This unit covers three practical ways to build rapport in your daily conversations.

Remembering and mentioning personal details—like a colleague’s recent vacation or a project milestone—shows you value the person, not just the work. Referencing these details in conversation (“How was your trip to Colorado?” or “Congrats on finishing the rollout!”) helps build trust and makes interactions warmer. Keep notes if needed, and use them to personalize your communication.

Here’s how this might look in a real conversation:

Nova: “Hey Natalie, how did your presentation go yesterday? I remember you were a bit nervous about it.”

Natalie: “Thanks for asking, Nova! It actually went really well. I appreciated your tips—they helped a lot.”

Nova: “I’m glad to hear that! You always put in so much effort, so I had no doubt you’d do great.”

Sharing a little about yourself helps others feel comfortable and encourages openness. This could be as simple as mentioning a hobby, a recent experience, or a challenge you’re working through (“I just started learning Italian” or “I’m also juggling deadlines this week”). Self-disclosure, when appropriate, makes you more relatable and invites others to share in return.

Ask questions that show you’re interested in the other person’s experiences and preferences. Instead of generic questions, reference what you know about them (“How’s your new puppy settling in?” or “Did you try that restaurant you mentioned?”). This demonstrates genuine attention and helps deepen your connection, making conversations more engaging and meaningful.

By using these techniques—remembering personal details, sharing about yourself, and tailoring your questions—you can build stronger rapport in your daily interactions. Up next, you’ll have a chance to practice these skills in realistic scenarios to help make them a natural part of your communication.